LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES

Updated: 3/03/15 - 5:48 AM

Wintry Mix makes for Icy Roads
A mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow this morning is making for a icy commute. The Illinois Department of Transportation says main highways are slick this morning from the overnight precipitation and advises drivers to use extreme caution on the roads. Untreated county and township roads have been reported to be covered with a glaze of ice. The National Weather Service has a winter weather advisory in effect through noon today.

Trial Begins for 2013 Ottawa Home Invasion Case
The trial for a Tonica man who allegedly robbed a home in Ottawa in 2013 is set to get underway this morning. The La Salle County Cirucit Court says jury selection began yesterday for the trial of 30-year old Richard Felton. Felton allegedly robbed a home in Ottawa along with three other individuals on the night of August 9th, 2013. Felton also allegedly shot one of his accomplices in the face on the Sandy Ford Bridge north of Streator during the early morning hours of August 18th. Officials say that could be tried in a separate trial.

Court Appearance for Chicago Man Trying to join ISIS
A Chicago-area man charged with trying to travel with his siblings to Syria to join the Islamic State group is scheduled to appear in court days after FBI agents raided his family home for a second time. Authorities haven't said why they searched Mohammed Hamzah Khan's home Thursday. The Bolingbrook home was first searched on the day of his arrest in October.

Legislation on Fighting Drug Abuse
Two Illinois lawmakers have announced bipartisan legislation that would spend $25 million to fight an epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse. Some cast doubt that the measure can be approved when the state faces a multi-billion dollar budget hole. The legislation would require drugs combatting heroin overdoses to be dispensed and administered more widely.

Drew Peterson Trial
The former suburban Chicago police officer convicted of killing his third wife and suspected in his fourth spouse's disappearance returns to court today. Drew Peterson was charged in February with soliciting an unidentified person to find someone he could pay to kill Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow. The murder-for-hire charges were filed in Randolph County.

Pension Arguments Scheduled for Next Week
The Illinois Supreme Court hears arguments next week over the Illinois pension law. Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is getting a monthly pension of more than $11,000 but that amount could shrink if the court upholds the law Quinn signed in 2013.

Questions on Schock Spending Continues
Congressman Aaron Schock's spokesman has responded to the latest question about Schock's spending with the same answer as before -- that Schock takes congressional rules seriously and is reviewing expenses. The Peoria-area Republican billed taxpayers for more than $14,000 in private air travel last fall, including a trip to a Chicago Bears game.

Medical Marijuana Permits
The state has awarded a new medical marijuana cultivation permit for the area covering Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties. PharmaCann came in second in the competition to Green Thumb Industries, which recently abandoned its plans. The company is based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park.

Attorney General Top 10 Complaints of 2014
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the most common consumer complaint her office received last year related to consumer debt issues. Other complaints on Madigan's annual top-10 list dealt with identity theft, telecommunications, construction, home improvements and car sales.